QXL, the online auction house, is taking time to investigate 'certain information' it has received from Ricardo.de, the German auction site, before it proceeds with its $309m (€343m) merger with the company.

Although QXL said that it still wants to complete the merger, a spokeswoman said that 'information' had come in after the due diligence was done, and that it had yet to be fully assessed. She said that both companies were keen to get the deal finished, and that more information should be given about the merger soon.